Dutch Defense: Nimzo-Dutch Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
65,173 games: White 52.0% / Draw 6.3% / Black 41.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 42,90843K | ||
| 11,79112K | ||
| 10,31910K | ||
| 121121 | ||
| 3434 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.47 White is slightly better
Best play: 5. Nd2 d5 6. Nh3 O-O 7. O-O Nc6 8. e3 a5 9. a3 Bd6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Dutch Defense: Nimzo-Dutch Variation (ECO A90, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Dutch Defense: Classical Variation, reached after 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Bb4+ (4 moves).
In 65,173 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.0%, Black 41.7% and 6.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bd2, in 66% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Dutch Defense: Nimzo-Dutch Variation, Alekhine Variation.
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How to play against the Dutch Defense: Nimzo-Dutch Variation
5. Nd2 scores best for White: 57.6%, with White winning 54.5% and Black 39.4% of 10K games. The most played, 5. Bd2, scores 55.2% in 43K games, and 5. Nc3 scores lowest: 52.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. Nd2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Dutch Defense: Nimzo-Dutch Variation (A90)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/dutch-defense-nimzo-dutch-variation